MQM doesn’t want martial law: Altaf

KARACHI - Altaf Hussain said the MQM is a democratic party and does not want Martial Law in the country. “We want resolution of political crisis through dialogue,” he added. Altaf expressed these views while addressing the MQM USA’s 18th Annual Convention which was attended by party office-bearers and workers. He said that Pak Army would intervene if the crisis was not resolved through dialogue. “The situation prevailing in the country demands that the crisis should be resolved through dialogue. The government should show some degree of flexibility and try to resolve the crisis through dialogue. The protesters should also show some flexibility and try to fix the issues through constitutional reforms. We have to sit together for dialogues after a fight. Why should not we resolve the crisis through dialogues without fighting?”The MQM chief said that a clash would have occurred in Lahore if the MQM had not intervened for reconciliation between the marchers and government. He said that the siege of Model Town ended because of the MQM’s efforts. He said the clash between the parties could have resulted in the loss of great number of lives. Commenting on Talibanisation in his speech, he said, “The Pakistan’s rulers and establishment termed the war between the US and Russia ‘a war of Islam and infidels’ to please Washington after Soviet intervention in Afghanistan. Pakistan became a centre of Mujahidins coming from different parts of the world. After the defeat of Soviet Union, Mujahidins started terror activities in Pakistan. Taliban terrorists targeted mosques, Imambargahs, shrines, centres of armed forces and other defence installations. They blew up 70 percent girls schools in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Fata.”Altaf said when he warned about the growing danger of Taliban, his rivals held him up to ridicule and said he was trying to frighten people. He added that later events proved his apprehensions right. “Today by the Grace of Allah, the army and people are on the same page regarding terrorism. Officers and soldiers of our armed forces are rendering supreme sacrifices in the fight against terrorists,” he said. He said the MQM believed in democracy and wanted to end dynastic rule in the country. “Altaf Hussain never fought election. You’ll not see members of assemblies from Altaf’s family. The MQM sends party workers to the assemblies,” he said. PML-N STAGES YOUM-E-TAHAFUZ-E-JAMHURIAT RALLY Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) Sindh chapter, observed ‘Democracy Protection Day’ on Sunday and took out a rally in Karachi to express solidarity with Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. A large number of PML-N workers and supporters including Laywers wing, Labour Wing, Youth Wing, Ulema Wing and Women Wing took out the rally from Regal Chowk to Karachi Press Club (KPC). The participants carrying party`s flags and party`s chief portrait chanted slogans in favour of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Addressing the participants of “Youm-e-Tahafuz-e-Jamhuriat” rally, PML-Nawaz Central leader Saleem Zia terming the Prime Minister’s resignation demand an unconstitutional act said that millions of people using their right to vote and elected PM Nawaz Sharif and he will not resign on the demand of people those who were staging protest in Islamabad.Sindh President Ismail Rahu said PML-Nawaz leadership and workers gathered here to express solidarity with the party leadership, continuity of the democratic system and protection of Parliament.The devoted workers of the party were united under the leadership of Nawaz Sharif and would not allow any one to derail democracy in the country, he said. PML-N Sindh Senior Vice President, Shah Muhammad Shah said that the Parliament, democracy and State institutions would not be sacrificed at the will of a few hundred people.He said that they were determined to fight every conspiracy against the party leadership. PML-N Sindh General Secretary, Nihal Hashmi, said that those involved in conspiracies against the PML-N’s democratic government would be given a befitting political response. He warned those using foul language against the PML-N leadership to mend their ways. He said the nation stood with the brave leader of PML-N Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and PM will not bow before any undemocratic demands.PML-Nawaz legislators Humiyo Khan, Shafi Jamot, Irfanullah Marwat, Soorat Thaipo, Raja Ansari, Munawar Raza, Zahida Bhant, Asad Usmani also spoke on the occasion.Earlier, unidentified participants of the rally resorted to aerial firing after clash between two groups of the party at Saddar area as panic engulfed in participants of the rally and residents of the locality. However, heavy contingent of police reached the site and controlled the situation after arresting several workers of PML-N.PTI STAGES PROTESTS IN KARACHIThe supporters of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged token protest in various parts of the City and extended support to the demands made by the PTI Chairman Imran Khan.PTI activists on Sunday evening staged protest at various points of the City including Al-Asif Square Shara-e-Pakistan, Main Habib Bank Chorangi SITE area and Sea view to express solidarity with party Chairman. The protesters during the demonstrations chanted slogans against the government and demanded the removal of government. They raised placards in support of Imran Khan and called on Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to listen to the demands made by Imran Khan.On the occasion PTI Leader including Subhan Ali Shahil, Kamran Rajput, MPA Hafeezuddin and others said that the people were not only against rigging in the elections but also against a system where people were being deprived of their rights. Imran Khan is struggling to cleanse the country’s society of corruption by bringing educated and honest people in governing and holding accountable for their acts of corruption.